Ahtisaari wants independence for Kosovo says Le Monde

Euronews

Independence under international supervision is the only viable solution for Kosovo says UN negotiator Martti Ahtisaari – that’s according to French daily Le Monde, which claims to have had access to Ahtisaari’s plan for the future of the Serbian breakaway province.

In the document, the former Finnish president reportedly rules out reintegration into Serbia. He is set to present the plan to the Security Council next Monday. Western powers heading the 16,500 NATO soldiers in the province want the Council to endorse Ahtisaari’s proposal by the middle of this year, fearing a delay could spark unrest among Kosovo’s Albanian majority.

Though Ahtisaari’s initial plan presented last month avoids the word “independence”, it would effectively grant Kosovo nationhood with its own army, constitution and flag. Serbia has reiterated its opposition to any form of independence for Kosovo, but the only support it gets comes from Russia, whose proposal to extend talks has been rejected by the UN.